GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – A weekend storm system will bring scattered showers to us on Colorado’s Western Slope. It will bring snow to the High Country that could affect travel.
Winter Weather Alerts
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from noon Saturday until noon Sunday for areas above 11,000 feet within the Sawatch Range, the Mosquito Range, and Pikes Peak. Snowfall accumulation of up to 7 inches is expected in the advisory area. Wind gusts up to the 35 mph can blow the snow, reducing visibly and making driving difficult at times. Be especially mindful of winter driving conditions and be ready for delays if you’re traveling along Highway 24, Highway 285, Highway 6 over Loveland Pass, and I-70 near the Einsenhower-Johnson Tunnels.
Tracking the Storm’s Arrival
Our storm system arrives on Saturday. Rain showers will begin increasing from south to north between midday and about 3 PM. Expect scattered rain showers here on the Western Slope. It won’t be constant rain, and we won’t all get rain. It’s a minimal impact for us. It can last through the night, but it will mostly end before sunrise Sunday.
Rain Changes to Snow In the Mountains
Rain can be more widespread in the mountains. Slushy snow may mix in around the San Juans, and rain will change to snow in the Sawatch Mountains and along the Mosquito Range – on either side of Leadville – as well as on the high peaks of the Elk Mountains south of Aspen. Snow will expand north through midday through I-70 and up toward Winter Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Snow will start breaking up between about 2 AM and 4 AM Sunday. Occasional snow will fall occasionally along the Continental Divide, including near I-70, through early Sunday afternoon. Rain will fall down lower off of the Divide and away from the high passes.
The snow is will not be a direct impact on us on the Western Slope. It will impact you only if you are traveling over the Continental Divide Saturday night through Sunday morning.
Expected Snow Accumulation
Mountain snow accumulation can be up to around 7 inches on the high passes, especially along the Sawatch Range southwest of Leadville. That includes Independence Pass along Highway 82 as well as Cottonwood Pass and Tin Cup Pass. Most areas will get 1-5 inches of snow otherwise with higher amounts favoring higher elevations. Snowfall amounts on the Grand Mesa – where it falls – and the San Juans will generally be less than a half inch. More of that snow will melt rather than accumulating.
College Football Weather
The start time of the CMU vs. CSU-Pueblo football game on Saturday has changed because of this storm system. The game begins at 11 AM at the Thunderbowl in Pueblo. Temperatures will be in the 70s. The first half should stay mostly dry, but rain will increase late in the second half. Take rain ponchos and be ready for sketchy and slow travel conditions between Grand Junction and Pueblo.
Our Next 24 Hours
This evening will be clear. We’ll cool from upper 70s and lower 80s at 6 PM to low-to-mid 70s at 8 PM, then to mid-to-upper 60s at 10 PM. The rest of tonight will be clear. Low temperatures by morning will be near 55 degrees around Grand Junction, 48 degrees around Montrose, 49 degrees around Delta, 46 degrees around Cortez, and 54 degrees around Moab. Friday will be mostly sunny and a little bit warmer than normal. We’ll warm from low-to-mid 50s at 7 AM to mid-to-upper 70s at noon, then to the low-to-mid 80s at 3 PM. High temperatures will be near 85 degrees around Grand Junction, 81 degrees around Montrose, 83 degrees around Delta, 80 degrees around Cortez, and 86 degrees around Moab.
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Publish date : 2024-09-19 19:18:00
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